New to WI/Pheasants

Thanks for that KisMet. I regularly look at that and am making a list of places I've been/want to go to. My question was more related to habitat than access.

Being new at this, the last few times I went out I was more in the middle of fields/open space. I'm think I need to concentrate on ditches, fencerows, edge of marsh, etc. Any other types of cover I'm missing?
 
Deuce,go to DNR and look for Glacial habitat.Mostly in Fond du lac,winnebago,columbia and Dodge counties.These areas have a lot of phez cover.also look at WPA's,these areas also have a lot of cover.What part of milw.
I'm in Glendale.
 
Deuce said:
Thanks for that KisMet. I regularly look at that and am making a list of places I've been/want to go to. My question was more related to habitat than access.

Being new at this, the last few times I went out I was more in the middle of fields/open space. I'm think I need to concentrate on ditches, fencerows, edge of marsh, etc. Any other types of cover I'm missing?
Click to expand...

This year's birds are runners, and new to the habitat if they've been released by DNR, so a lot of traditional information on hunting them is not as useful as it might be. The birds haven't learned the lay of the land as yet.

Look for areas that they may be protected from the wind and the weather, more than from predators. DNR-released birds don't know much about hawks, for instance. Naked ground, or short stubble is less likely to be productive than thigh-high grasses and brush.

Best wishes. have fun, be safe.
 
Spent 2 1/2hrs out this morning and only saw one bird that another group kicked up. Only a handful of shots all around. Tomorrow's another day, going to try several spots.

Thanks for the input all, looking forward to posting when I knock one down.
 
I was out at Jackson this morning. It's closest to me and figured it was the best option given that I still had to make it to work relatively early. Shooting to head west tomorrow.
 
Managed to get away from crowds and find some birds this weekend. Flushes resulted in no shot opportunity with the exception of one... which I promptly missed with all three shots. Nice to be out and see/hear them around though. Hoping to put the pieces together next weekend.
 
I got out Saturday but really struggled. Between the wind and all the guys, it was tough. Pup got on one bird in some dense willows but lost the scent.
 
Finally put the pieces together this morning. I saw a handful of birds, heard a handful more, and got my limit. Even shot OK. Good to get the monkey off my back, hoping to have more successful hunts before seasons out.

To those of you who hunt the DNR stocked land, how is the late season hunting? I'm gone for the first part of December, and would like to hunt the last week after Christmas. Obviously it's going to require getting out there, but wondering if I'll be wasting my time.
 
Hey Deuce, congratulations.

Season changes with deer hunting. The week before the 9 day deer season is the last week DNR puts birds out, unless there's been a change of which I am unaware. I know folks who go out pheasant hunting on public lands DURING deer season, but my regard for my fellow human beings with rifles is not that high that I want to be in their vicinity with a canine when they are looking to shoot at a deer. Your opinion may differ.

The weather is more harsh, snow is almost inevitable, but very little human traffic in my experience. Some birds make the transition from pen-raised to subsistence living. When I had younger legs and more ambition, I'd hunt until the end of the year.

Over towards the Lake, you may encounter different conditions. Other folks will know better.

Be safe, have fun.
 
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